Schools chief gives up post

Hamamoto's surprise decision comes at a critical time for DOE

The Maui News
January 1, 2010

By ILIMA LOOMIS, Staff Writer

State Schools Superintendent Pat Hamamoto has resigned, effective immediately, Board of Education Chairman Garrett Toguchi said in a statement released Thursday night.

Deputy Superintendent Kathy Matayoshi will immediately take over the duties of acting superintendent, according to the statement. Hamamoto has volunteered to continue being part of the state Department of Education's negotiating team attempting to resolve the issue of school furlough days, he said.

"The board extends its deepest appreciation for all of her many years serving Hawaii's students and for her dedication to public education, both as an educator and administrator. Superintendent Hamamoto has worked tirelessly to ensure we had a viable plan to reduce the number of furloughs at our public schools," he said.

"Ms. Matayoshi will manage a competent team of educators focused on raising student achievement and improving the quality of education for all of Hawaii's children," he said.

Board of Education member Mary Cochran of Maui said she received a copy of Hamamoto's letter of resignation by e-mail Thursday evening and it did not give a reason for Hamamoto's decision.

"It's very sad to hear that, but I really do wish her well," she said.

Cochran said an announcement had originally been planned for Monday.

But she was not surprised that word of the resignation had already leaked out Thursday.

"Something like that, you cannot keep quiet," she said.

The resignation came a day after Hamamoto met with members of the Board of Education and the Hawaii State Teachers Association and officials with Gov. Linda Lingle's administration in another attempt to work out an agreement that would reduce furlough days for public schools.

Spokespeople for the DOE and HSTA could not be reached for comment Thursday evening.

Spokesman Russell Pang said the governor's office did not have a comment.

"We have no information," he said Thursday evening. "Just what we heard on the news."

Maui lawmakers reached Thursday evening were surprised by the resignation.

State Sen. Roz Baker, D-South Maui-West Maui, said she had heard Hamamoto was considering retirement but that the news was still "sudden."

"To have a break in leadership at this critical time is very unfortunate," she said. "I think Superintendent Hamamoto has always had the best interests of Hawaii students, and I'd always worked well with her, so I'm sorry to hear she submitted her resignation."

She added, "I'm hoping we can get the governor and the board and the teachers all on the same page so we can end furloughs and get students back in the classroom."

State Rep. Gil Keith-Agaran, D-Kahului, said, "It was going to be a challenging year for the Department of Education, and this adds another question mark for them; 2010 is going to be bringing a lot of leadership changes throughout the state, and we have to look at this as an opportunity."

State Sen. J. Kalani English, D-Upcountry, East Maui, Molokai, Lanai, said, "Pat is a very good administrator, she's very straight-up. . . . She would say what needed to be heard. I have a lot of respect for her, and a lot of aloha for her. I think whatever her reasons for resigning, they're probably very profound."

Cochran said she understood that Toguchi "tried to convince (Hamamoto) to stay on until we got through this crisis."

But she said she was grateful for Hamamoto's years of service, noting that she stayed on the job far longer than superintendents in most states. She led the department through a number of crises, including the Felix Consent Decree involving students with special needs, the push for local school boards and compliance with the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

"It has been one challenge after another," she said. "She's done Hawaii really well."

Cochran said she respected Hamamoto's decision.

"If it's a matter of walking away and preserving your health, why the hell not?" she said.

Hamamoto has served as superintendent of the state Department of Education since 2001, after serving as vice superintendent beginning in 1999.

She spent more than 34 years as a teacher and administrator in the department, starting as a teacher at Highlands Intermediate on Oahu in 1975 and beginning her career in administration as vice principal at Maui High School in 1983.

* Ilima Loomis can be reached at iloomis@mauinews.com.

Original article URL: http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/527257.html

Return to Sen. English Home Page - KalaniEnglish.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home Bills and Resolutions About Senator English Committees Community Profiles Newsletter Archive News Archive Capitol Web Site Media Photos

Connect with Senator English

OUR DISTRICT